Quick mounting ashtray holder and ashtray

ABSTRACT

A quick mounting ashtray holder that can be rapidly and reversibly mounted in a car. The invented ashtray holder secures an ashtray such that neither the ashtray nor the holder rattles, even when the car is on a rough road. The ashtray holder has a bracket with a platform portion, an angled portion, and a base portion. The platform portion has a top side and a bottom side, where said platform portion provides a mounting surface. The angled portion determines the orientation between the platform portion and the base portion. The base portion base has a front side and back side, where the back side has a fastening means for quick mounting the base portion to a vehicle. There is a frame for receiving and holding an ashtray. The frame has structural supporting and restraining elements, gripping pads, and mounting components for attaching the frame to the platform portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for holding paraphernalia in automobiles and other vehicles, and more particularly to a quick mounting ashtray holder and ashtray for automobiles and other vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

What is needed is an ashtray holder that can be rapidly and reversibly mounted in a car, wherein no screws or adhesive are required, wherein the ashtray holder secures an ashtray such that neither the ashtray nor the holder rattle even when the car is experiencing roughness in the road; wherein the holder is adaptable to a wide variety of makes and models of both cars and trucks; and wherein the ashtray can be easily emptied and replaced without dislodging the holder, and the holder provides a solid platform that will not distort during normal utilization of the ashtray. The need for an ashtray holder that can be rapidly and reversibly mounted has increased as most vehicles are manufactured without an ashtray. Additionally, a removable ashtray holder enables the ashtray to be easily removed upon change of ownership, driver, or policy that there be no ashtray in the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a quick mounting ashtray holder that can be rapidly and reversibly mounted in a car, wherein no screws or adhesive are required, wherein the ashtray holder secures an ashtray such that neither the ashtray nor the holder rattle even when the car is experiencing roughness in the road. As will become readily apparent the holder is adaptable to a wide variety of makes and models of cars, trucks, and boats. The ashtray can be easily emptied and replaced without dislodging the holder, and the holder provides a solid platform that will not distort during normal utilization of the ashtray. There are substantially two versions of the ashtray holder. In one version a frame that holds the ashtray is fabricated as a separate component(s) and is then mounted to bracket. In the second version the frame is an integral part of the bracket. In the first version the quick mounting ashtray holder is comprised of a bracket that has three portions: a platform portion, an angled portion, and a base portion. The platform portion has a top side and a bottom side, where said platform portion provides a mounting surface for the frame. The angle portion determines the relative orientation between the platform portion and the base portion, varying from 0 degrees angle up to 135 degrees. Many models of cars have consoles that are suitable for 45-90 degrees brackets. The base portion base has a front side and a back side. The back side has a fastening means, such as Velcro® (i.e., hook & loop) for quick mounting the ashtray holder to the floor or the carpet on the console sidewall. Alternatively, there are hook & loop fastening systems that are adhesively backed that enable the invention to be engagingly secured to virtually any surface in the vehicle. The frame for receiving and holding the ashtray is comprised of structural supporting and restraining elements, mounting components that attach the structural supporting and restraining elements to the platform portion, and gripping pads on the restraining elements. The mounting components are selected from the group consisting of weld points, brads, rivets, screws, and combinations thereof. The gripping pads elastically distort to conform to the shape of the ashtray when it is inserted into the frame. The gripping pads are composed of a rubbery foam, wherein said rubbery foam is selected to provide vibration dampening as well as gripping force on an exterior surface of the ashtray. In the second version of the quick mounting ashtray holder the bracket is fabricated to include the elements of the frame, and therefore no mounting components are required. From a single sheet of structural material, such as aluminum or steel, the bracket is cut out. The frame elements are incorporated into a compound platform portion, which is platform portion modified to include the structural supporting and restraining elements. After bending upwards the restraining elements serve similar to the separately fabricated frame, however, no mounting is required as the frame is integral to the bracket.

The quick mounting ashtray holder is further comprised of an ashtray having exterior surface walls that has a band with a top edge that coincides with a rim of the ashtray, and a bottom edge that coincides with the an uppermost portion of the gripping pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing invention will become readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of an ashtray holder having bracket with a base portion, an angled portion, and a platform portion, and having a frame with structural supporting and restraining elements, mounting components that attach the structural supporting and restraining elements to the platform, and gripping pads on the restraining elements, wherein the angle between the base portion and the platform portion is about 45 degrees;

FIG. 2 a perspective view of the ashtray holder and an ashtray having an exterior shape that is secured by gripping pads that prevents movement and vibration, wherein the exterior shape includes a band with a top edge that coincides with a rim of the ashtray, and a bottom edge that coincides with the uppermost portion of the gripping pads;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of an ashtray holder having a base portion, an angled portion, and a platform portion, wherein the angle portion establishes the angle between the base portion and the platform portion at about 90 degrees;

FIG. 4 is a perspective overhead view of an ashtray holder having a base portion, an angled portion, and a platform portion, wherein the angle portion establishes the angle between the base portion and the platform portion at about 0 degrees;

FIG. 5 is a substantially planar rear view of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4 illustrating the fastening means on the back side of the base;

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the invention having a larger bracket illustrating the fastening means on back side of the base; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of an ashtray holder having a base portion, an angled portion, and a platform portion, wherein the angle portion establishes the angle between the base portion and the platform portion at about 135 degrees;

FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of an ashtray holder having an integral frame, wherein the angle portion establishes the angle between the base portion and the compound platform portion at about 45 degrees; and

FIG. 9 is a planar view of the invention illustrating the bracket of FIG. 8, prior to forging an angled compound platform portion, and prior to forging the restraining elements to an upwards position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a quick mounting ashtray holder 10 that can be rapidly and reversibly mounted in a car, wherein no screws or adhesive are required. Referring to FIG. 1, which is a perspective side view of the ashtray holder 10, the holder is comprised of a frame 30 mounted on a bracket 20 having a base portion 22, an angled portion 24, and a platform portion 26. In the illustrated embodiment the frame 30 is comprised of structural supporting elements 32 and restraining elements 34, and is mounted on the platform portion 26. As shown, the structural supporting element 32 and the restraining element 34 are differentiated substantially only in their orientation (which determines function), where the supporting elements 32 provide support for the ashtray 40, as shown in FIG. 2, and the restraining elements 34 secure the ashtray 40 from lateral movement. In the illustrated embodiment there are four restraining elements 34. There could be as few as two (i.e., if combined with another restraint) and as many as is practical, with a projected upper limitation of 16 restraining elements 34. The supporting elements 32 are attached to the platform portion 26 via mounting components 38. The mounting components 38 are selected from the group consisting of weld points, brads, rivets, screws, and combinations thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, pop rivets are shown. The interior side 35 of each of the restraining elements 34 has a gripping pad 36 for securing the ashtray 40 such that neither the ashtray nor the holder rattle, even when the car is experiencing roughness in the road. The gripping pads 36 elastically distort to conform to the shape of the ashtray 40 inserted into the frame 30. The gripping pads 36 are composed of a rubbery foam, wherein said rubbery foam is selected to provide vibration dampening as well as gripping force on an exterior surface of the inserted ashtray 40, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 the angle between the base portion 22 and the platform portion 26 is about 45 degrees. The base portion 22 has a front side 21 and a back side 23. The back side 23 has a fastening means 28 such as Velcro (hook & loop) for quick mounting the ashtray holder 10 to carpet and certain fabrics. Alternatively, there are hook & loop fastening systems that are adhesively backed, which enable the invention to be secured to virtually any surface in a vehicle or vessel (i.e., a boat).

Referring to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view of the ashtray holder 10 and an ashtray 40, the ashtray 40 is secured by gripping pads 36 that prevent movement and vibration, wherein the ashtray 40 has a band 42 with a top edge that coincides with a rim of the ashtray, and a bottom edge that coincides with the an uppermost portion of the gripping pads 36. The ashtray 40 can be easily emptied and replaced without dislodging the holder 10, and the holder provides a solid platform that will not distort during normal utilization of the ashtray.

FIG. 3 illustrates an ashtray holder 10, wherein the angle portion 24 establishes an angle between the base portion 22 and the platform portion 26 at about 90 degrees. FIG. 4 is a perspective overhead view of the ashtray holder 10, wherein the angle portion 24 establishes the angle between the base portion 22 and the platform portion 26 at about 0 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fastening means 28 is comprised of two strips of Velcro®that are adhesively mounted to the back side 23 of the base portion 22 of the bracket 20. The strips 28 cover at least three fourths of the surface on the back side 23. As seen in this figure, the supporting elements 32 extend beyond the end and the width of the base portion 22 of bracket 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the width of the base portion can be widened to provide greater support, and the bracket 20 can have a thickness that is appropriately selected for the anticipated higher performance requirements. This can be seen by comparing the size of the bracket 20 of the ashtray holder 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. The breadth of coverage of the fastening means 28 has also been proportionately increased.

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of an ashtray holder 10 having a base portion 22, an angled portion 24, and a platform portion 26, wherein the angle portion 24 establishes the angle between the base portion 22 and the platform portion 26 at about 135 degrees. The frame 30 is mounted to the top side 27 of the platform portion 26. The mounting components 38 extend from the frame 30 to bottom side 25 of the platform portion 26.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention, wherein the quick mounting ashtray holder has a bracket 20 with an integral frame. No mounting components are required. From a single sheet of structural material, such as aluminum or steel, the bracket 20 and integral frame is cut out. There is a compound platform portion 27, an angled portion 24, and a base portion 22, wherein the compound platform portion 27 includes the frame elements, which are the structural supporting elements 32 and the restraining elements 34. Prior to forging or bending, the frame elements extend radially from the compound platform portion 27. The integral frame is formed when the elements are bent upwards therein forming the restraining elements 34. FIG. 9 is a planar view of the invention illustrating the bracket 20 of FIG. 8, prior to forging or bending. Bend lines for the restraining elements 34 are indicated by dashed lines 33, and for the angle portion 24. Following shaping, the ashtray holder 10 is fitted with the gripping pads 36 and the fastening means 28, as shown in FIG. 8.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the invention by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A quick mounting ashtray holder, said ashtray holder comprising: a bracket comprised of a platform portion, an angled portion, and a base portion; wherein the platform portion has a top side and a bottom side, where said platform portion provides a mounting surface; wherein said angled portion determines an orientation between the platform portion and the base portion; wherein said base portion base has a front side and back side, where the back side has a fastening means for quick mounting the base portion to a vehicle; a frame for receiving and holding an ashtray, wherein said frame is comprised of structural supporting and restraining elements, mounting components attaching the structural supporting and restraining elements to the platform portion, and gripping pads on the restraining elements, where said gripping pads elastically distort to conform to an ashtray inserted into the frame.
 2. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping pads are composed of a rubbery foam, wherein said rubbery foam is selected to provide vibration dampening, as well as gripping force on an exterior surface of the inserted ashtray.
 4. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastening means is at least one strip of loop fastener that is adhesively mounted to the base portion.
 5. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angled portion is selected to provide an angle between the platform portion and the base portion of from 0 degrees to about 135 degrees.
 6. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 5, wherein the angled portion is selected to provide an angle between the platform portion and the base portion of from 45 degrees to about 90 degrees.
 7. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting components are selected from the group consisting of weld points, brads, rivets, screws, and combinations thereof.
 8. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bracket is composed of metal.
 9. The quick mounting ashtray holder according to claim 1 is further comprised of an ashtray having exterior surface walls that has a band with a top edge that coincides with a rim of the ashtray, and a bottom edge that coincides with the an uppermost portion of the gripping pads.
 10. A quick mounting ashtray holder, said ashtray holder comprising: a bracket having an integral frame, said bracket comprised of a compound platform portion, an angled portion, and a base portion; wherein the compound platform portion has a top side, a bottom side, and contiguous extending supporting and restraining elements for receiving and holding an ashtray; wherein said integral frame is further comprised of gripping pads on the restraining elements, where said gripping pads elastically distort to conform to an ashtray inserted into the frame; wherein said angle portion determines an orientation between the compound platform portion and the base portion; and wherein said base portion base has a front side and back side, where the back side has a fastening means for quick mounting the bracket to a vehicle.
 11. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gripping pads are composed of a rubbery foam, wherein said rubbery foam is selected to provide vibration dampening as well as gripping force on an exterior surface of the inserted ashtray.
 12. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein the fastening means is at least one strip of loop fastener that is adhesively mounted to the base.
 13. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein the angled portion is selected to provide an angle between the compound platform portion and the base portion of from 0 degrees to about 135 degrees.
 14. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 13, wherein the angled portion is selected to provide an angle between the compound platform portion and the base portion of from 45 degrees to about 90 degrees.
 15. The quick mounting ashtray holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein said bracket is composed of metal.
 16. The quick mounting ashtray holder according to claim 10 is further comprised of an ashtray having exterior surface walls that has a band with a top edge that coincides with a rim of the ashtray, and a bottom edge that coincides with the an uppermost portion of the gripping pads 